Union County Crime & Safety

Union County, South Dakota

Safety Score

66/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

802.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

77.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

724.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

66/100

Higher = safer

State avg 73/100

State Safety Rank

#49

of 66 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Union County, South Dakota

Union County Outperforms National Averages

Union County's total crime rate of 802.4 per 100,000 is nearly three times lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a strong safety score of 98.7 despite being a busy regional transit point.

Matching South Dakota Trends

Union County's crime rate of 802.4 is slightly higher than the state average of 788.1, likely due to its higher population density. Five reporting agencies provide one of the most accurate and detailed data sets in the state.

Safety Amidst Regional Growth

Compared to similar high-traffic counties, Union County remains highly secure for its size. The presence of five active law enforcement agencies helps manage safety effectively across its various communities.

Property Crime Dominates Local Stats

Violent crime is impressively low at 77.8 per 100,000, far below the state average of 131.6. Property crime accounts for 724.6 of the total rate, making it the primary focus for local law enforcement.

Prioritize Property Protection

With property crime as the main factor, residents should invest in perimeter security. Home security cameras and well-lit entryways can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a statistic in Union County.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Union County, SD?

Union County has a total crime rate of 802.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (77.8 per 100K) and property crimes (724.6 per 100K).

Is Union County, SD safe?

Union County has a safety score of 66/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #49 out of 66 counties in South Dakota for safety (1 = safest).

How does Union County crime compare to the South Dakota average?

What types of crime are most common in Union County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Union County?

Crime data for Union County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Union County?

Union County has a safety score of 66/100, which is below the South Dakota average of 73/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.